Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has inaugurated the Strategic Grains Reserve Committee to tackle food insecurity and address the soaring prices of grains.
The initiative is aimed at providing relief to citizens struggling with high food costs and ensuring a steady food supply amid unpredictable weather patterns, he said.
Inaugurating the 15 man committee, Governor Bala reiterated his commitment to address the challenges of hunger and food insecurity in Bauchi State.
He said his administration will not fold its arms and watch while people helplessly languish in mortal hunger.
Governor Bala said the government is taking immediate steps to make food items, especially grains, more affordable for the general public.
He explained that the newly formed committee has a dual mandate: to purchase and store a percentage of grains from farmers, thereby ensuring a steady supply, and to maintain transparency by accounting for all proceeds from the reserve before making further purchases.
The governor said this aims to stabilize grain prices and reduce the impact of unpredictable food supplies on vulnerable communities.
The committee’s formation aligns with the Bauchi State government’s broader mission to mitigate food shortages and support the agricultural sector.
The governor also urged the committee to operate transparently and fulfill its mandate with accountability and diligence. He said Government released the sum of N3 billion for the purchase of harvested grains and other foodstuffs in the quest to address the growing challenges of hunger and economic hardship in the state.
He said the Committee is tasked with bolstering food security by managing grain reserves, which will be made available to citizens at affordable prices during times of need.
He said that the development underscored the urgent need for the initiative, in view of the rising cost of living and the scarcity of basic commodities in the state and the country in general.
Governor Bala said the N3 billion as a takeoff grant which will be used to procure grain stocks and make food products accessible to the public below prevailing market prices.
The responsibilities of the Strategic Grains Reserve Committee include assessing the current condition of the state’s storage facilities, purchasing essential food commodities, and strategically selling these items at subsidized rates during critical periods.
Members of the committee are, Hon. Hamza Koshe Akuyam (Chairman), Hon. Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Commissioner of Finance- Member, General Manager, BASAAC, MD, Bauchi Investment Corporation, Chief Security Officer, Governor’s Office, Sarkin Darazo, Sarkin Gamawa, Wamban Bauchi, Representative of PDP, Director General, SEMA, Representatives of DSS, Police, NSCDC and Permanent Secretatry Ministry of Agriculture (Secretary).
In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam pledged to administer the Committee’s resources prudently, ensuring that their operations remain transparent and focused on the welfare of the people.
